Hippurate hydrolysis can also be positive with beta-haemolytic streptoccoci groups C and L. The CAMP test which demonstrates the synergistic haemolysis between staphylococcal B-toxin and streptococcal CAMP factor on sheep or ox red blood cells is only positive in about 84% of strains.' Pigment production by group B streptoccoci (GBS), which is orange in colour and has characteristics of a carotenoid,2 was first noted by Lancefield in 1934 in nine of 29 strains grown anaerobically.3 Modifications of media by Fallon,4 Merritt,5 and Islam6 have improved the sensitivity to about 97%.We describe further investigations into this test and modifications to the media described by Islam, and a useful application of one of the modifications.
Material and methodsIn the first phase, tests of sensitivity and specificity of the media were done by performing Lancefield
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